The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1887-06-19
CHARLESTON NOTES.
AN Enterprising Advertiser-A Few
Points About the Gas Monopoly.

way is a very funny incident. Mr. McElree
Is one of the most successful business men
III Charleston. He came here some ten or
twelve years ago and opened kind of
}ewelry store under the Waverly House.
being progressive Irish American he spent
apouI ilalf his business income in printers
INK. He knew the secret of profitable
advertising, which is to spend money
hbelaiIy and to make his advertise !
ihehtS always unique, novel and attractive |
In other words, he followed the example set |
by Sam Wilson, who is to-day one OF the
richest men in the city, and who commenced |
business In little corner shop grocery
ABOUT sixteen years ago. Mr. Wilson mnde |
aSpecialty at that time of ''dollar tean Il
was at time when the cheapest tea offered
III the market commanded from Sl.50
10 " pound; The country had
Wilson's dollar tea advertisements were
so persistent, so unique, so novel, so utterly
endless, that the little corner grocery in
year or two had blossomed out into one of
the finest and most popular of King street
groceries, and Mr.. Wilson is to-day a cant
talists who has coupon clippings every
quarter.
McElvee worked the same plan and .he too
soon made it pay. 1t paid him so well, that
he purchased and Is now running q iewelry
palace i'll the midst of the most fashionable
portion OF King street, and has bought and
improved considerable quantity of real es-
tate in other portions of the city Among
ms numerous Investments in real estate
was the old Gayer homestead on
Meeting street, next north of the old artesian
well lot. On this he spent considerable
money, converting it into a model modern
boarding house, which was occupied before
the earthquake, and brought in good in
vestment on tho outlay. The artesian lot
had in the meantime been converted into a
sort of public park, with handsome orna-
mental iron fountain in it. Some
time before the earthquake the city had
been considering the ACCESSIBILITY of con-
centratlng its fire department at central
station, and the old Artesian Park has been
selected. The earthquake and the sale of
the old guard house to the government for q
post Office and court house enables the city
to carry out this plan, and steps were taken
looking to the accomplishment of that object
1t was then that McElree began TO put on
his war paint. He wrote column and
column of communications, got up lengthy
petitions and began the agitation
which has since became known as
the 'McElree incident" The newspapers
refused to publish his communication which
would have occupied too much space. But
McElree was not to be deferred III this way
He bought out column or two in the NelCs
and Courier and has filled the space with
vigorous communications new one every
day-arraigning the city administration,
berating everybody and earnestly protest
ing against what he calls this dissertation
The McElree column has attained so much
notoriety that 1t is regarded as one of the
chief features of the paper Everybody
reads it and everybody is anxious TO see
what McElIee has to say. Mr.. McElrce viii
hardly prevent the building Of the new CEN
trail station, but be is getting vast amount
of good advertising, as his proclamations are
all signed John McElree, proprietor of
McElree's jewelry palace, 267 King street,
etc" This is hint TO Savannah merchants
which they might do we'll to take. McElree
as has been stated, is one of the most sue
cessful business men in Charleston. He
came here an utter stranger ten or twelve
years ago and built up his enormous bust
ness solely by liberal and judicious advertis-
ing.
THE GAS MONOPOLY.
Another event of the week Is the resump-
ton of the gas monopoly war, the details of
which up to a certain point have been given
in this correspondence The gas monopoly
in Charleston has succeeded In killing one
electric light company, and swapping about
$4,000 of Charleston capital. 1t has also
succeeded in crushing out all attempts to
establish new gas companies. The new
electric light company, however, which
commenced business soon after the earth
quake, did not ask for city pap, and has
hence been allowed to get footing without
much trouble; As soon, however, as il be
gan to get on, the giant gas octopus
began to stretch out its arms. 1t applied to
the City Council for permission to erect
poles on the streets for furnishing electric
light. The permission was granted without
hesitation. Then the Electric Light Com
pany applied for permission to run mains
through the street for the furnishing of gas.
This petition was promptly buried in con-
venient committee pigeon hole. The purse
of the gas octopus reaches even to the COM
mttee rooms Of Council. The Electric Light
Company, however, are determined not to be
beaten. Under the omnibus incorporation
law they obtained charter for the incorpo-
ration OF an electric light, gas, steam and wa
ter-power company. The old company was
transferred TO the new, and at the last meet
ing Of Council an application was filed by
the new company for permission TO run
their mains through the streets. The petit
TONERS offer to give bond TO keep the streets
in repair, the repaving TO be done by expert
workmen under the direction Of the street
department and at the expense of the petit
TONERS, and also promise not To interfere
with the mains of either the gas or water
companies. The petition was referred to the
same committee that buried the former, and
the gas octopus will have another opportu-
nifty of burying it. But the fight will not
stop here The new concern represents
Charleston capital, and has at its head some
of the most enterprising and influential citi-
zens. They mean to make vigorous fight,
and they will be backed by large major
ity Of the longsuffering consumers OF gas,
who can see no reason why the city should
Cypress them by forcing them to pay 50 a
1000 feet for gas when other companies are
ready and anxious TO furnish il to them at
81 per 1000. 1t is astonishing how long
this community has consented TO suffer this
afiiiction, and the present struggle is watched
with eager interest.
BASE BALL GOSSIP.
Public interest in base ball matters has
been considerably revived by the prompt
ness with which the stockholders OF the
local club declined the offer of $1,000 re-
Gently made them for their franchise. The
public did not have much faith in the direc-
tors declarations that they would stick
through the season. The action of the
stockholders however, has shown that the
club will not back down, and interest in the
national game has been revived. The matt
nees, or telegraphic reports, are largely
attended, and the communication the
whole community is interested-await
with anxious longing the return Of their
team The club has been offered all the
financial assistance IL wants 10 enable it 10
continue the fight TO the bitter end. At
present, no wever, IL is not in need of finan-
cial help. The lecent series of home games